About Us

General Information: (203) 785-2570

Overview

During the past year, the Section was pleased to achieve several notable accomplishments. First our faculty surgeons developed new instruments and a new operative procedure for distraction of cranial base for craniosynostosis. We also developed a new technique for cosmetic blepharoplasty and enhanced procedures in body contouring, with abdominoplasty and liposuction, as well as breast lift procedures. The Section's Hand Fellowship was reestablished, resulting in an increase in hand patients. Overall, our clinical practice experienced an over 20% increase in craniofacial and cosmetic surgery cases.

In the past year, our researchers:

• provided the first evidence that a novel steroid-like compound that clinically restores bone mass after sex steroid withdrawal functions primarily by way of its metabolism to a ligand for the androgen receptor.
• defined structural and functional interactions between activated steroid hormone receptors and other transcription factors involved in growth factor and growth factor receptor expression in bone.
• demonstrated that mechanical strain mimics the effects of prostanoids on TGF-beta receptor expression and TGF-beta activity in isolated bone cells.
• identified new regulatory transcription factor binding sequences in the IGF-I gene promoter.
• showed that C/EBP beta is a new target gene in osteoblasts for Fra2, a transcription factor involved in normal bone development.
• discerned molecular aspects of a negative feed back loop where vitamin D3 itself and hormone induced cAMP regulate the expression of an enzyme involved in vitamin D3 breakdown.
• examined psychological factors influencing cosmetic surgery as it relates to TV reality shows.
• project measuring morphologic and biochemical changes with mechanical strain of tenocytes. This project attempts to identify factors involved with improved clinical results seen with tendon motion following tendon repair; clinical projects continue in the evaluation of aesthetic breast shape and thumb abduction strength.
• researched national and local trends for economics of upper extremity replants.
• performed molecular analysis of Dupuytren’s disease; Outcomes analysis of the treatment of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Mohs vs surgical excision.
• demonstrated a novel technique for minimally invasive sural nerve harvest.
• used volume and surface area computations to improve mastectomy reconstruction symmetry.
• demonstrated the influence of silicone on fibroblasts in an in vitro model.

We especially recognize the generous support of Mrs. Gay Steinbach, Benefactress; the Walter D. Lorenz Corporation; Synthes Corporation; the Yale Plastic Surgery Society; Dr. and Mrs. Philip Corso; and, Fivos Gahhos, M.D.

Resident Research Day Topics

• Outcomes in Size-Breast Reduction Procedures – Michael Chen, M.D.
• Silicone Inhibits Fibroblast Proliferation – Bianca Knoll, M.D.
• Microarray Assay for Rapid Determination of Genetic Polymorphisms:
  • An Adjunct to Microarray Analysis of Genes Orchestrating Craniofacial
  • Development – Leo Otake, M.D.
• Does Body Contouring Improve Quality of Life? – Devinder Singh, M.D.
• Changes in Teaching and Clinical Practice in Academic Plastic Surgery 1997-2006 – Yuan Liu, M.D.
• Buttocks Shape Preferences Between Plastic Surgery and Patient – Jerry Chang, M.D./Natacha Kadlub, M.D.
• The Effect of Core Temperature on the Success of Free Tissue Transfer – Asad Shah, M.D.
• Trigger Digits After Hand Trauma – Julio Arias, M.D.
• Epi-Genetic Abnormalities in Infantile Hemangiomas: A Study of Imprinting at the IGF2/H19 Locus – Brent Schultz, M.D.
• The Intracranial Compartment Volume Changes in Sagittal Craniosynostosis Patients: Effects of Complex Cranioplasty – Su-Shin Lee, M.D.
• Novel Severity Measurement of Infant Skull Deformities Utilizing Vertex Views from CT Scans – Samer Fadl, M.D.